Heart of Bhutan Hiking Tour

During the journey, one will experience breath-taking view of Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga and other famous Himalayan peaks including the sacred Jumolhari and Mount Jichu Drake in Bhutan. On arrival at Paro International Airport, you will be received by your guide and take you to Thimphu which is 54 km from Paro Airport and about 45 minutes’ drive. En route you will visit 15 century Tachog lakhang built by the great iron bridge builder and poet Yogi Thangtong Gyalpo (1385-1464). Later in the afternoon visit King’s Memorial Chorten (built in memory of the third King of Bhutan); visit Traditional paper, and visit the majestic Tashichhodzong. Evening:Stroll through the town. Overnight hotel in Thimphu.

This morning you will visit Buddha statue, and is presumed to be the largest Bronze statue in the world. The three storied high throne of the statue will consists of temples on each floor, After Buddha statue, you will hike through the pine forest for about 2-3 hours. The hike will ends at the Changgangkha monastery. You will visit Changgangkha Monastery, old fortress like temple and monastic school perched on a ridge above Thimphu, south-east of Motithang, visit Post office, were you can personalize your stamp, visit weekend Local Market, visit the school of Arts and Crafts (also known as the painting school), and the Folk Heritage Museum. Overnight hotel in Thimphu.

After breakfast this morning, enjoy the scenic drive to Punakha with a stop for tea at Dochu La (3,100 meters), where on a clear day you can get spectacular views of the Eastern Himalayas. From the pass, drive downhill through the forests of rhododendron, fir and hemlock. You will arrive Punakha after traversing through rice field and along the bank of Punakha River. You will stop at Metsina village and take a 20 minute walk through the rice fields to Chimi Lhakhang, which is a fertility temple. This temple is dedicated to the great Yogi in the 14th century known as Drukpa Kuenley, or the “Divine Madman,” who is believed to bless women who seek fertility, visit the Punakha Dzong, which is stunningly situated inbetween the male and female rivers like an anchored ship. Later in the afternoon, you will drive to Nyizergang and walk uphill about 30 minutes to Khamsum Yuelley Namgayl chorten. Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten stands out on a beautiful ridge above the Punakha valley. It was built by Her Majesty the Queen Mother, Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck.. This temple has been dedicated for the well-being of the kingdom, its people and all sentient beings. Best view of the Punakha Valley is seen from the top of the temple. Overnight hotel in Punakha.

After breakfast, you will you will drive to Gangtey/Phobjikha which is a famous for winter roosting place for Black necked crane. Phobjikha valley is a conservation area recognized primarily for its ecological richness and prime winter habitat of the Black-necked Cranes (Grus nigricollis) with approximate of 300 cranes every winter. About 30 minutes’ drive from Punakha is Wangduephodrang, the last town before central Bhutan. The district is famous for its fine bamboo work and stone carving. From Wangduephodrang, the road winds up through dense forests of oak and rhododendrons till Lawala pass, which is blanketed with dwarf bamboos. The pass offers panoramic views of the Himalayan Mountains. Drive downhill for little while and you will be awestricken by the stunning views of Gangtey Goenpa and Phobjikha Valley. You will visit Gangtey Goenpa, the only Nyingmapa monastery in western Bhutan. After exploring Gangtey Goenpa, you can hike along Gangtey Natural Trial, the most beautiful and shortest of the existing nature trails in Bhutan. The hike takes about 1hr 30minutes through the pine forest and small bamboo plants. You can see the Phobjkha valley so beautifully from this hike. It is one of the best hike places for the Nature lovers, visit Black-necked crane information center. Overnight Homestay.

After breakfast this morning, drive back to Thimphu with a stop for a tea at Dochula. You will begin 2 hours hike to Lungchuzekha Monastery from 108 chortens (stupas). The trail passes through rhododendron forests. Walking along the high ridges dotted with colorful Buddhist prayer flags offers us stunning views of Himalayas, plus incredible vistas into the valleys below the pass. Your trail then descends in beautiful mixed forest, passing Tashigang Gompa to emerge at the road at Hongthso, where you will meet your transport. You then drive to Thimphu. Overnight hotel in Thimphu.

This morning you will drive back Paro. On arrival, you will visit Kichu Lhakhang, the oldest temple in the country built by the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo in 8th century, and visit the Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche Memorial House. The Memorial House in Kyichu, Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche’s primary residence in Bhutan, was inaugurated as a museum and opened to the public in 2010 to celebrate his centennial. It has been preserved almost exactly as it was when he lived there. Khyentse Rinpoche was one of the main spiritual teachers of the Bhutanese Royal Family. The house includes the reception room where Rinpoche gave private audiences and teachings and his bedroom where he meditated daily and recited prayers, visit the ruined monastery/fortress of Drugyel Dzong. From here, if the weather is clear you may see Mount Chomolhari to the north. Later in the afternoon, visit Paro Dzong. It was built in 17th century and now houses government offices and religious institutions, visit Ta Dzong the Houses for Bhutan National Museum. After Museum, hike along the forested hillside to Zuri Dzong and then down to Uma resort. The view of Dzong and valley are stunning. From Uma resort you will be picked by car and transferred to hotel. Overnight hotel in Paro.

In the morning you will hike to Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) Monastery, which is Bhutan’s most famous monastery situated at 3180 meters. Guru Rinpoche (spiritual master) is said to have flown on the back of a tigress from Singye Dzong in Lhuntse to meditate in a cave where Taktsang Monastery now stands. The Monastery is perched on the edge of a steep cliff, about 900 meters above Paro Valley. Lunch will be served at the Cafeteria. Explore the monastery and hike back to the valley in the afternoon. Overnight hotel in Paro.

Drive to the airport for departure. Our representative will bid you farewell.